In this article, you’re going to get 10 slightly insane obstacle training workouts that will spice up your workouts like nothing else, and completely redefine the way you train. You don’t need much equipment for these – just some heavy stuff and the willingness to tolerate physical discomfort. Ready? Let’s jump right in. If you can tackle a few of these a week, we cannot guarantee that you will still not fall off the zig-zag wall, but at least you’ll have a huge cardiovascular engine and some serious tolerance to musculoskeletal discomfort.

Obstacle Course Workout #1: Butt Burner

A “simple” workout that Jane Fonda would love. It requires just you and your body…and of course, your butt.

This one is a very good option for when the hotel gym is crappy or stinky or sucks.

Run one flight of stairs one step at a time. Stop on landing for 20 second isometric squat.

Run next flight of stairs two steps at a time. Stop on landing for 20 push-ups.

Run next flight of stairs by box jumping as many steps at a time. Stop on landing for 20 mountain climbers.

Repeat for as many flights as possible.

Obstacle Course Workout #10: The Stairmaster
If you really fancy yourself as fit, try going from 5 to 1 minute, and then back up.

5 minutes hard stair climb, 100m walking lunges with 40lb dumbbells

4 minutes hard stair climb, 100m walking lunges with 40lb dumbbells

3 minutes hard stair climb, 100m walking lunges with 40lb dumbbells

2 minutes hard stair climb, 100m walking lunges with 40lb dumbbells

1 minutes hard stair climb, 100m walking lunges with 40lb dumbbells

Want over a hundred more workouts just like this? You can get them, along with the Unconventional Guide To Obstacle Course Training, a complete 12 week nutrition plan from Ben, obstacle how-to training videos with Hunter and Ben, a guide to making your own backyard obstacles, top-secret interviews with the world’s top obstacle racing athletes and much more! Just head over to http://www.ObstacleDominator.com.

Ben Greenfield is an ex-bodybuilder, Ironman triathlete, Spartan racer, coach, speaker and author of the New York Times Bestseller “Beyond Training: Mastering Endurance, Health and Life” (http://www.BeyondTrainingBook.com). In 2008, Ben was voted as NSCA’s Personal Trainer of the year and in 2013 and 2014 was named by Greatist as one of the top 100 Most Influential People In Health And Fitness. Ben blogs and podcasts at http://www.BenGreenfieldFitness.com, and resides in Spokane, WA with his wife and twin boys.